Research Report Guideline
PredictRAM Equity Research Report Guidelines
Introduction
This document provides comprehensive guidance on creating research reports that will score well in the PredictRAM platform's enhanced analysis system. Following these guidelines will help ensure your reports receive positive evaluations across key metrics including factual accuracy, predictive power, bias control, originality, risk disclosure, and transparency.
Sample Report Structure & Best Practices
1. Report Header & Classification Elements
DO:
Include a clear, descriptive title with both company and theme/catalyst
Specify report type (equity, sector, thematic, economy, scenario)
List all covered tickers in standard bracketed format: [TICKER.NS]
Provide a specific time horizon (e.g., 12-month, 24-month)
Include analyst name(s) and publication date
Add a concise sub-heading that captures the investment thesis
DON'T:
Use vague, generic titles lacking specificity
Omit report classification details
Format tickers inconsistently (must use [TICKER.NS] format)
Leave time horizon ambiguous
Submit without analyst attribution
Example:
# [Company/Sector] Research Report — [Coverage Scope]
Title: [Company/Sector] — [Key Investment Theme]
Sub-heading: [Concise thesis statement]
Analyst: [Full Name]
Date: [Publication Date]
Report Type: [equity/sector/thematic/economy/scenario]
Coverage Tickers: [TICKER1.NS], [TICKER2.NS]
Time Horizon: [X] months2. Executive Summary
DO:
Summarize key points in 3-5 bullet points
Include specific price targets with timeframes
Mention methodology approach
Highlight risk-reward balance
Reference primary drivers and catalysts
DON'T:
Write lengthy paragraphs
Use generic statements without quantification
Focus only on upsides without balanced view
Omit price targets or timeframes
3. Investment Thesis
DO:
Provide clear, logical reasoning for recommendations
Include both positive factors AND counterpoints/challenges
Connect industry trends to company specifics
Highlight competitive advantages and weaknesses
Reference relevant industry metrics and benchmarks
DON'T:
Present one-sided arguments
Make claims without supporting evidence
Use excessive hyperbole ("best in class," "revolutionary")
Ignore industry-specific context or competition
4. Financial Analysis & Projections
DO:
Include specific metrics (CAGR, margins, ratios)
Provide multi-year projections with clear timeframes
Show key financial drivers and assumptions
Compare with historical trends and industry averages
Break down business segments when relevant
DON'T:
Provide projections without underlying assumptions
Use overly precise numbers suggesting false accuracy
Ignore industry-specific metrics
Fail to explain significant year-over-year changes
5. Valuation Methodology
DO:
Explicitly state valuation method(s) used (DCF, multiples, SoTP)
Provide key inputs (WACC, terminal growth, peer sets)
Include sensitivity analysis for key variables
Triangulate between different valuation approaches
Explain premium/discount to peers or historical averages
DON'T:
Use valuation models without explaining methodology
Apply inappropriate valuation methods for sector
Fail to justify target multiples
Omit key assumptions
Ignore sector-specific valuation metrics
6. Scenario Analysis (Base/Bull/Bear)
DO:
Include 3+ scenarios with specific price targets
Assign probability weightings to scenarios
Detail assumptions for each scenario
Ensure bear case is credible and substantive
Quantify key drivers in each scenario
DON'T:
Create unrealistic bull case or minimized bear case
Omit scenario probabilities
Use vague language without specific metrics
Apply inconsistent methodologies across scenarios
Ignore macro factors in scenario development
7. Risk Disclosure
DO:
Categorize risks (market, execution, regulatory, etc.)
Include industry and company-specific risks
Quantify potential impact where possible
Discuss both likelihood and magnitude
Address emerging/non-traditional risks
DON'T:
Provide generic risk statements applicable to any company
Underweight significant risks
Focus only on external factors ignoring operational risks
Omit sector-specific regulatory considerations
Exclude contingency discussion
8. Geopolitical & Policy Assessment
DO:
Identify specific relevant policies/regulations
Discuss potential changes and impacts
Analyze cross-border considerations if applicable
Reference recent policy developments
Discuss both risks and opportunities
DON'T:
Make political statements or predictions
Ignore relevant policy developments
Discuss policies without connecting to investment impact
Overemphasize unlikely extreme scenarios
9. ESG Considerations
DO:
Address environmental, social AND governance factors
Highlight material ESG factors specific to industry
Reference company ESG initiatives and metrics
Discuss ESG risks AND opportunities
Compare to industry benchmarks or standards
DON'T:
Provide generic ESG boilerplate language
Focus on immaterial ESG factors
Ignore industry-specific ESG concerns
Overlook governance considerations
Make unsupported claims about ESG performance
10. Timeline & Milestones
DO:
Define specific review periods and triggers
Include key events/catalysts with dates
Set clear monitoring parameters
Specify conditions that would warrant thesis revision
Include both company-specific and market-wide triggers
DON'T:
Omit monitoring framework
Provide vague timeframes
Ignore potential catalysts or inflection points
Fail to quantify monitoring triggers
11. Data Sources & Methodology
DO:
Cite specific data sources (Bloomberg, Reuters, Company Reports)
Explain methodology considerations and limitations
Acknowledge data timeframes and potential staleness
Disclose assumptions where direct data is unavailable
Mention verification methods for critical data points
DON'T:
Use unsourced data or claims
Rely on outdated information without acknowledgment
Fail to explain methodological choices
Present estimates as facts without qualification
Omit disclosure of calculation methods for derived metrics
12. SEBI-Compliant Disclosures
DO:
Include SEBI registration details
Provide clear analyst certification statement
Disclose any conflicts of interest
Add appropriate company disclaimers
Include forward-looking statements disclaimer
DON'T:
Omit any required regulatory disclosures
Use non-standard disclaimer language
Fail to address potential conflicts
Exclude regulatory context specific to Indian markets
Make guarantees about future performance
Scoring Enhancement Tips
To maximize your report's quality score in the PredictRAM system:
Factual Accuracy Score:
Cite 5+ distinct, verifiable data sources
Include 15+ numerical data points with proper units
Reference 8+ industry-standard financial metrics
Use verification statements ("confirmed by," "according to")
Cross-reference critical data points from multiple sources
Bias Control Score:
Include balanced perspective statements ("however," "on the other hand")
Acknowledge 8+ specific risks or challenges
Use neutral language (avoid "definitely," "certainly," "guaranteed")
Present multiple scenarios with balanced probabilities
Avoid exclusively positive or negative phrasing
Predictive Power Score:
Include specific price targets with explicit timeframes
Provide detailed methodology explanation
State clear, testable assumptions
Include sensitivity analysis for key variables
Reference historical predictive accuracy when available
Risk Disclosure Score:
Categorize risks into 5+ distinct types
Include both industry-wide and company-specific risks
Quantify potential impact where possible
Discuss mitigation factors
Address timing/likelihood of various risks
Transparency Score:
Explain all methodologies in detail
Disclose limitations of analysis
Provide source information for all major claims
Clearly separate facts from opinions
Explain changes from previous views if applicable
Content Guidelines Compliance:
Follow standard report structure
Use consistent formatting for tickers ([TICKER.NS])
Include all required sections
Provide appropriate level of detail for report type
Format according to platform standards
Ticker Format Requirements
The platform's ticker extraction system ONLY recognizes Indian stocks in bracketed format. You MUST use:
[TICKER.NS] for NSE-listed stocks
[TICKER.BO] for BSE-listed stocks
Examples:
Correct: [RELIANCE.NS], [TCS.NS], [INFY.NS]
Incorrect: RELIANCE, RELIANCE.NS, NSE:RELIANCE
Enhanced Analysis Parameter Coverage
To ensure your report receives comprehensive enhanced analysis:
SEBI Compliance Parameters:
Include all required regulatory disclosures
Follow SEBI research analyst guidelines
Address conflict of interest explicitly
Include clear risk disclosure section
Add analyst certification statement
Content Guidelines Parameters:
Provide detailed methodology explanations
Include balanced risk assessment
Present multiple scenarios
Specify clear timeframes
Include appropriate level of detail
Geopolitical Assessment Parameters:
Discuss relevant global trade impacts
Address regulatory environment changes
Consider cross-border implications
Evaluate policy shift probabilities
Assess geopolitical risk exposure
ESG Parameters:
Cover all three ESG aspects
Provide specific company ESG metrics
Compare to industry standards
Identify material ESG factors
Discuss ESG trajectory and commitments
Stock Quality Parameters:
Include fundamental analysis metrics
Address balance sheet strength
Evaluate management quality
Discuss business model sustainability
Consider competitive positioning
By following these guidelines, your research reports will achieve higher quality scores and more comprehensive enhanced analysis in the PredictRAM platform.
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